Glasgow helicopter crash: Air accident investigators begin work

The wreckage of the helicopter was transported by road to the AAIB in Hampshire

Experts at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have started their examination of the police helicopter that crashed in Glasgow.

Nine people died when the aircraft fell through the roof of the Clutha bar in the city centre on Friday.

The wreckage of the Eurocopter arrived at the AAIB base at Farnborough, Hampshire, late on Tuesday.

Investigators have already confirmed that no mayday was made before the crash.

The helicopter was also not equipped with a "black box" flight recorder.

First Minister Alex Salmond has told the Scottish Parliament a preliminary report by the AAIB was expected "within the next few days".

Criminal proceedings

Bond Air Services, the company which leased the aircraft to Police Scotland, will meet with the Scottish Police Authority later to the discuss the disaster.

Police officers are gathering evidence about the crash

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has issued guidance on how the circumstances of the crash will be investigated, stressing that although the police and AAIB are gathering evidence about the crash, the COPFS is in charge of the investigation and will decide whether criminal proceedings will be pursued.

Crash investigation - what happens now?

The inquiry into the helicopter crash is already under way, and is being led by the police, under direction of the Crown Office.

The Crown Office - Scotland's prosecution service - is responsible for investigating sudden deaths, and will decide whether there should be a further inquiry or criminal charges brought.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which aims to determine the cause of the crash, is due to make its preliminary findings in a few days, followed by its final findings, which are expected to take several months.

Only after investigations are complete will the Crown Office decide whether to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry - which would aim to establish if the deaths were preventable and suggest lessons for the future - or bring criminal charges.

The Civil Aviation Authority, the enforcement body for aviation-related offences, is also involved in the investigation.

There is no way to tell how long the process will take. The Crown Office said the type of investigation required by the helicopter crash meant it would "take time".

John Logue, procurator fiscal for the East of Scotland, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme the AAIB investigation would take priority for the moment, and would inform how the COPFS proceeds.

He said all three organisations - the police, COPFS and the AAIB - would work closely together to share information and keep the families of those who died updated with the progress of the investigation.

He added: "The priority is with the AAIB to carry out their detailed technical investigation in order to establish what happened to the aircraft on Friday night.

"The responsibility of the AAIB is not to apportion blame, but to establish from a technical point of view what has happened and what recommendations can be made to ensure air travel is as safe as possible.

"Our responsibility is to investigate all sudden and unexplained deaths, in particular in relation to incidents like this, with a view to determining at some point in the future whether or not there should be a criminal prosecution or a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI)."

However, Mr Logue stressed that an FAI was not automatic.

He said: "A lot of work has to be done by a number of different organisations before any decision is to be taken.

"It is a high priority for us to keep the families of those who have died as well-informed as we can throughout the investigation."